Young mum Mary Benedito dies after alleged attack by estranged ex

A young Logan mum has died just days after she was allegedly beaten and strangled by her estranged ex in a Gold Coast apartment before he took off with their 11-month-old child. His charges have been upgraded to murder.

A young Logan mum who was allegedly bashed by the father of her baby before he took off with their 11-month-old son has died.

Police this morning confirmed Mama Mary Benedito, 25, who was in a coma since the alleged attack which occurred in Meriton apartments on Como Crescent, at Southport on Saturday, has passed away.

Her estranged ex Reo Te Whetu Marama Marsh, 34 from Crestmead, had his charges upgraded from grevious bodily harm and strangulation to one count of murder today at Richlands Magistrates Court.

Mama Mary Benedito has died after she was allegedly attacked by her ex at Southport. Photo: Supplied

Police said Ms Benedito passed away at the Gold Coast University Hospital from her injuries.

“A 25-year-old woman has passed away in hospital from her injuries sustained during a disturbance at an apartment complex at Southport where a child was also taken initiating an Amber Alert,” a statement said.

“Police were called to an apartment complex in Como Crescent shortly after 5pm on November 27 where they located an unresponsive woman and established a crime scene.”

Police allege the man took the couple’s 11-month-old son from the apartment before police arrived at the scene.

Police issued an urgent Amber Alert to find the child who was taken to Crestmead Police Station in a safe condition by two women, believed to be associated with the man, about 12.15am Sunday.

The baby was unharmed.

Reo Te Whetu Marama Marsh has been charged with the murder of his ex Mama Mary Benedito

Reo Te Whetu Marama Marsh was arrested a short time later in Oxley and charged with grievous bodily harm and strangulation.

He appeared briefly in Richlands Magistrates Court on Monday morning, but did not apply for bail.

He was remanded in custody and the matter adjourned to Southport Magistrates Court on January 31 but faced court again today when his charges were upgraded to murder.

Members of the woman’s family were outside court on Monday.

“It is a sad incident, she didn’t deserve any of this,” her cousin said.

“Her poor son is lying there waiting for his mum to come back. It’s not fair.

Mama Mary Benedito died days after the alleged attack.

Ms Benedito’s family said her mother had only just passed away and Reo Te Whetu Marama Marsh had attended the funeral.

“We literally buried her mother two days before. He was there shovelling dirt into the grave, carrying the coffin,” a cousin of Ms Benedito said.

He said many of her family were struggling to come to Australia from New Zealand due to Covid restrictions.

Police said the pair were estranged and lived apart.

Investigations are looking into their relationship and why they were together at the apartment.

Police said the man had been located about 12.30am at Oxley Motor Inn and was apprehended after a short foot chase.

A Mazda SUV, believed to be the car the man drove in with the child, has been seized by police.

A fundraiser was launched by the woman’s family with $6,200 so far raised.

“It is with a heavy heart that we announce the passing of dearest Mary. A victim of (alleged) domestic violence whose life was taken way too soon,” the family wrote on the fundraiser.

“We will miss her so much, and now have a duty to raise her son who is surrounded by so much love.”